A/N: Thanks again to ALL of you who reviewed, your feedback is fantastic and it makes both of us really glad to see you're enjoying the story!
A lot of you are wondering why Hermione is so blind to Gordon's true intentions- it will be explained in later chapters, so keep an eye out for it!
Next chapter is Christmas! Yay!!
Lavender followed Seamus into his apartment, moving aside so he could lock the doors behind him. "What a great wedding," she said.
"That it was," Seamus agreed, watching as she pulled out the pins to let her long hair cascade down. "You looked gorgeous."
Lavender blushed. "Thanks," she murmured. "You looked very handsome yourself."
Seamus grinned. "You're quite the dancer as well. Are you sure Harry didn't give you lessons at Hillsdale along with your cousin?"
She giggled. "No… I'm just naturally good at it," she said jokingly.
He laughed and wound his arms around her waist. "I can think of other things you're naturally good at too."
Lavender grinned as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. She opened her mouth under his, allowing his tongue to sweep in and taste her. His hands wandered down to unclasp her deep red dress robes.
There had been many a time since they admitted that they were in love with one another that they had come close to having sex. Usually it was Lavender who stopped them, Seamus never pushing her when she pulled away from him.
Yet tonight felt different to her- she wasn't sure if it was the romantic atmosphere of a wedding that she had been exposed to all day long, or the champagne she had consumed… but she was hungry for Seamus and for the first time in a long while she felt ready to share herself with someone else- the last time being when she thought she was losing that git Malfoy.
"Seamus," she said as he started to peel her robes away. "Not-"
"Sorry," he immediately pulled back.
"No…" Lavender wound her arms around his neck. "I just… I would rather you take me to your bedroom," she said a bit shyly.
Seamus stared at her a moment. "Are… you sure?" he asked.
Lavender nodded. "I'm positive," she leaned in and kissed him again. He scooped her up, carrying her into his room.
The moonlight slipped through his slightly open curtains as they fell onto the bed in a tangle of robes and sheets. Seamus kissed her again, letting his fingers trail through her long hair.
Lavender shrugged out of her robe, letting the silky material fall off the side of the bed. Seamus did the same, also pulling off his shirt and tie. She let him trail his fingers down her sides and lift up on her dress as she lay back, arching her body as he drew the garments off of her.
She wasn't as scared as she thought she'd be, instead reaching for him, kissing him as her hands searched for the zipper on his trousers. Her fingers trembled only slightly as she pulled the trousers off, adding them to their pile of clothes on the side of the bed.
Seamus could see she was nervous- hell, so was he. He'd never had sex before but he had heard enough from living with guys in Gryffindor and usually he could find one of his stagehands bragging rather graphically about one conquest or another so he wasn't completely without knowledge. He began to caress her bare skin, trailing his fingers lightly over her stomach as he dipped his tongue into her mouth.
Lavender stifled a tiny cry as Seamus moved his hand over her knickers. Her body was reacting to his touch and she let out a loud cry when his fingers slid inside her.
"Seamus…" she breathed as his lips travelled down her skin. She pulled at her bra, not wanting him to remove his hand from its current position, and he latched onto her breast, making her cry out again.
"Like that love?" he paused briefly to smile at her.
Lavender nodded. "I love you Seamus," she whispered.
"I love you too Lavender," he stroked her hair away from her chest, fumbling a bit as he pulled her knickers away, looking down on her naked body. "Merlin you're gorgeous," he said, blushing a little.
Lavender's breath was coming in short gasps as he took his boxers off, finally topping off their pile of clothing. Still feeling shy, she pulled him back down on top of her, kissing him as hard as she could.
He teased her a few more minutes, and then pushed his way inside her, slowly, letting her grow used to the way this new situation felt.
She breathed out deeply as Seamus buried himself in her; Lavender arched her body up and he began to move.
Their grunts and cries grew loud as they moved faster; Seamus had his mouth attached to hers as she let out a moan that made shivers go down his spine and he released at the same time she did.
He rolled off to her side, pulling her next to him. Lavender grasped his sweaty shoulder, staring up into his eyes.
She caressed his face, her fingers running through his hair as he pressed his forehead to hers. "I wonder… if it was like that for everyone," Lavender finally said.
"Like what?" Seamus asked, smiling as he ran his hand over her arm.
"I… don't know…" Lavender giggled, still feeling quite euphoric. She leaned in and kissed him again. "I can't really find the words for it."
"I can," Seamus propped himself up, pulling his sheets further up over both of them. "I love you."
"I love you," Lavender replied. "Very, very much."
Seamus pulled her close again. "Same here," he kissed the top of her head several times, moving his lips down over her face before settling on her mouth.
They fell asleep in each other's arms that night, content as could be.
*** *** ***
The day after the wedding found Harry and Hermione going through boxes of Christmas ornaments that her parents had given them. Harry had gone into Hogsmeade earlier and brought home a huge Christmas tree and they'd invited everyone over to help decorate.
It was just past seven and their friends weren't due to arrive until eight. She and Harry had settled down in front of the fireplace and were sifting through the ornaments and deciding which to use.
"What is this?" Harry asked, holding up an ornament.
Hermione laughed. "At one time it was a gingerbread man. I made that when I was six."
Harry laughed. "It looks like a gingerbread squish now," he teased. "We definitely have to use it."
"My art teacher told me it was the best in the class," Hermione said defensively.
Harry leaned over and gave her a kiss. "That's why we have to hang it."
Hermione smiled. "Did you ever get to do this when you were a kid?"
Harry shook his head. "Dudley made all the ornaments, anything I made either had to be hidden away and has been lost over the years or he ruined it as we came home from school."
Hermione couldn't imagine what that must have been like. She had loads of happy Christmas memories with her parents and Lavender. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
"It's all right," Harry mustered a smile. "I've never looked forward to a holiday as much as I am this one and it's because I have you in my life now."
"Me, too," Hermione admitted, leaning in for another kiss.
"Ugh, again?" Lavender's voice made them jump apart.
"So nice of you to knock Lavender," Harry grumbled, helping his girlfriend to her feet. "Been taking lessons from Ron have you?"
"You're a bit early, aren't you, Lavender?" Hermione asked, glancing down at her watch.
"Yeah," Lavender replied. "I needed to talk to you about something Hermione."
"Alright," Hermione said. When she saw Lavender looking in Harry's direction, she said, "Could you give us a moment, Harry?"
"Sure," Harry replied. "I'll go make some tea for everyone." He stepped over the boxes and went into the kitchen.
Hermione walked over to the sofa and patted the space beside her. "Okay, cousin...what's on your mind?"
"Well..." Lavender almost couldn't contain herself. "Last night after the wedding... I went back to Seamus's place with him." She began.
Hermione had a feeling what might have happened by the broad smile on Lavender's face, but she decided to let Lavender give the details. "And...?"
"We..." Lavender giggled. "Well... we finally decided it was the right time and..." she shrugged as she bit down on her lower lip to keep her grin from widening even more.
Hermione squealed. "How was it?"
Lavender giggled again. "Well..." she sighed. "It didn't hurt like I thought it would, but it was kind of... fast..." she turned red. "Not that I didn't like it, and Seamus was absolutely wonderful... I'm just hoping next time we can maybe hold out a little longer." She laughed again, slightly nervous that Hermione would think it was all ridiculous.
Hermione leaned in so Harry couldn't hear. "It was sort of like that my first time, too."
"It was?" Lavender asked.
"Yeah," Hermione admitted. "The first time...I felt so stupid because I kept wondering the entire time if I was doing it right. Stupid, huh?"
"No," Lavender shook her head. "And here I was thinking you'd find ME stupid for wondering if it was always so quick..." she smiled at her cousin.
Hermione laughed. "I'd never think that, Lav."
"Thanks," Lavender hugged her quickly. "I just wanted to tell you... well you've just been a big help to me, especially back when Seamus and I were just starting out and things were a bit bumpy."
"Of course," Hermione said. "After all you did for Harry and me during the summer..."
Lavender smiled. "Well... I can't wait to do it again. Maybe Seamus and I will take away your and Harry's rabbit title." She teased.
"I wish all of you would stop calling us that," Hermione said, pretending to look affronted. "You all act as if Harry and me are on top of each other all the time."
Harry chose that particular moment to return. "Okay, tea and hot chocolate is on the way," he said, flopping down next to them and pulling Hermione onto his lap.
Lavender cleared her throat and looked away, smirking.
Hermione blushed. "Thank you for helping me prove my point," she said sarcastically to Harry.
"What point?" Harry asked, looking innocently between the two girls.
"Nothing," Hermione said, giggling. "I was just trying to defend our honour."
"Which honour is that?" Harry asked, sliding his fingers over the soft jumper she was wearing.
"Lavender just brought up that horrid name that everyone calls us and I was saying that we weren't on top of each other every minute of the day," Hermione explained.
"Oh," Harry grinned. "You say that like it's such a bad name. I've grown rather fond of it myself."
"I wonder why," Hermione said turning around and winking at him.
Lavender groaned. "Okay, but do it on your own time rabbits. Everyone's going to be arriving soon!"
"Ron promised to bring me a new tin of biscuits," Hermione commented, getting off of Harry's lap and handing a box of ornaments to Lavender. "Of course, he told me that the last four times he was here, but I say we don't let him in unless he has them."
"That should be interesting," Harry replied. "Especially since he always just comes in he never knocks or waits for us to actually open the door."
"Which biscuits, your Pims?" Lavender asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "A brand new bag and he finished them off in one sitting. Correction...he was nice enough to leave me one."
"You should have seen it," Harry said, lifting his head up from one of the boxes. "He was shaking in his boots after she threatened him." He grinned at Hermione. "Luckily for him that was the day she found out her marks were highest in the class again so he was spared."
"Do you know what I don't understand is he eats the way he does and he never gains a stone," Hermione said with a laugh. "It's not fair."
"I don't get it either," Harry said. "None of us ever have."
"What I wouldn't give for that to happen for me," Lavender pulled another box in front of her and began to laugh. "Remember this Hermione?" she held up a long gold garland with paper angels cut into it.
Hermione put a hand over her mouth. "I can't believe Mum kept that!"
Harry looked at Lavender. "What's so funny about it?" he asked.
"Well it was my first Christmas living with my aunt, uncle and Hermione. Every year they would make something new for the tree, whether it was just an ornament or a garland. Well this year my aunt of course asked me to help, but Hermione had already decided she wanted to make this," Lavender held up the garland.
"I let you help," Hermione pointed out.
"Yeah after your mum threatened to keep you out of tradition that year," Lavender laughed at her. "So I had to sit there and cut precisely into this, while Hermione kept yanking on the other end."
"I did not yank it!" Hermione retorted. "I lightly tugged it. Big difference."
Lavender held up one particular angel. "So that explains why this one got beheaded?" she pointed out.
Harry began laughing. "Control freak even then, love?" he teased.
"I'm not a control freak," Hermione said, glaring at him. "I was just trying to make things run smoothly and my stubborn cousin here didn't want to listen to reason."
Harry and Lavender smiled at one another. "Well don't forget Hermione, the next year you decided it had to be ornaments. And the year after-"
"Yes, yes," Hermione said cutting her off. "We get the point."
Harry wrapped his arms around her. "It's just fun to tease you," he kissed the side of her head.
"The two of you must be having a ball then," Hermione said as the doorbell chimed. "Well, we can rule out that being Ron," she said as Harry got up to answer the door.
Lavender laughed at Hermione as they heard Harry open the door. "The newlyweds are here!" he bellowed.
"Thanks for shouting that in my ear," Cho said as Harry helped her with her cloak. "I don't believe they heard you in Canada, Harry."
"Well I just wanted to make sure everyone knows," Harry replied cheekily. "How was day one of married life?"
"Fantastic," Cho said winking at Neville. "He served me breakfast in bed this morning."
"That's so sweet," Hermione said as she joined them in the hallway. "Cho can I get you anything to drink? Harry put on water for tea or hot chocolate if you want some."
"Hot chocolate would be wonderful," Cho said. "It's absolutely freezing outside."
"If it weren't for the rain," Neville began. "I think it would be fine. It'd be nice to get snow once in awhile, especially now that it's almost Christmas."
"I agree," Hermione said. "There's nothing like snow on Christmas."
Harry went into the kitchen to get Cho her hot chocolate while Hermione pulled their guests into the living room where the tree was. "Hey guys," Lavender smiled at her friends. "You both look well rested from yesterday."
Cho struggled to get comfortable on the sofa. "I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore. I wouldn't mind if the little one here decided to put in an early appearance. It would be so nice to be able to see my feet again."
"Do you need me to rub them for you?" Neville asked, instantly concerned.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "They're not hurting. I just miss being able to see them."
Neville laughed along with Hermione and Lavender. "Well you've only got a few weeks to go sweetheart," he sat down next to her.
"And afterwards you're going to have the absolute best thing," Lavender said.
"I know," Cho said, smiling. She looked down at the ornaments on the coffee table. "Why does one of those angels have no head?"
Lavender looked at Hermione and they burst out laughing. "Don't ask," Hermione said.
"Happy Christmas!" a familiar voice called to them. They looked up to see Ron grinning at them.
Luna looked apologetically at Hermione. "I told him we should have knocked."
"Did you bring my biscuits," Hermione asked immediately.
"What biscuits?" Ron asked confused. "I didn't know were supposed to bring anything. I just said we had to show..."
Hermione stood up, her hands on her hips. "Ronald Weasley," she began in a warning tone. "My Pims please?"
Ron looked sheepishly at her. "I did buy you some more, but I-I left them back at Luna's flat, didn't I love?"
Luna smiled at him. "She looks pretty angry love..."
"Well, I guess you won't mind if we don't serve you anything tonight," Hermione said seriously.
Ron looked back and forth between his friends, who were all trying not to laugh. "Hermione..." he began.
"Harry," Hermione called out to him in the kitchen. "Don't worry about getting Ron anything. He's not going to be eating or drinking anything here tonight."
"All right!" Ron said. "I'll go back to Luna's flat and get them!"
"You don't have to do that," Hermione said finally breaking into an amused smile.
"What?" Ron looked flabbergasted. "But you just said I had to or you wouldn't feed me!"
"Just trying to teach you a lesson," Hermione said simply. "Just remember that next time you decide to eat my biscuits. Next time, I won't be so forgiving."
"I'll bring them next time, I promise." Ron finally relaxed.
Hermione grinned. She walked into the kitchen to help Harry and saw him busily placing some pastries on a plate. Coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his middle and rested her head on his back.
Harry chuckled. "Scaring the trousers off Ron are you?"
"Just teaching him a lesson," she said softly. "Need any help?"
"Just carrying this stuff out," Harry said. "Everyone here?"
"Everyone but Seamus," Hermione answered. "Lavender mentioned he might be a bit late."
"He still filming?" Harry asked, setting mugs on another tray as Hermione poured water into each of them.
Hermione nodded. "So...have you bought my Christmas present yet?" she asked nonchalantly. "Or at the very least mentioned it to Cho..."
"I have and no, I haven't mentioned it to Cho." Harry said. "You saw how well she kept the secret about you falling asleep..."
Hermione's cheeks reddened. "So, I take it you won't be mentioning it to her then?"
"Nope," Harry grinned charmingly at her. "But I could ask her what you got for me..."
"You could," Hermione said smugly. "But she wouldn't know."
"Smart girl," Harry took the kettle from her hand and set it down. She recognised the hungry look in his eyes and her giggle was smothered when he kissed her just a moment later.
"Wow," Hermione said breathlessly as they broke apart a moment later. "You know you're really quite good at that."
"So I've been told." Harry kissed her once more. "Come on... we've got plenty of time to snog later."
They walked into the living room and were nearly knocked over by Ron who made a beeline for the pastries. Everyone watched as Ron popped two into his mouth before the tray had been set on the table.
"Whaaaat?" he asked cluelessly.
Harry shook his head. "Everyone but Ron help themselves," he looked at his redheaded friend. "You can have some after everyone else."
Ron glared at him. "I think you're still sore that I caught the garter last night and you...didn't."
Harry smirked at him. "Hardly matters Weasley. Fact here is that I have the food and you don't."
Ron said something unintelligible under his breath and went to sit down beside Luna, who patted his back sympathetically.
"Okay," Neville said loudly. "How about we get some of this stuff on this tree?"
"Alright," Hermione said excitedly clapping her hands together. "I think the best way to begin would be for Harry to string up the lights, I can handle the garland, Neville you can pick out the..." her voice trailed off as she noticed everyone looking at her this time.
Lavender coughed something that sounded like 'control freak' into her arm as Harry grinned.
"I think they're onto you love." He said.
Hermione's cheeks went pink again. "Or we could just do whatever..."
The doorbell rang and Lavender squealed and jumped up. "That's probably Seamus!" she dashed out to the front hallway.
"Okay," Cho said. "That's the most excited I've ever seen her..."
Lavender swung open the door and smiled broadly when she saw that it was indeed Seamus at the door. "Hi," she said softly.
"Hey," He stepped inside. "It's bloody freezing out there."
Lavender grinned. "You look quite cute when your teeth are chattering like that."
"Very funny," Seamus leaned over and gave her a kiss. He shook the water from his hair. "I assume I look quite cute all bedraggled too from the way you're looking at me right now." He grinned.
"I pretty much think you're cute all the time," she said dreamily.
Seamus kissed her again. "Before we go in there I wanted to tell you again that I really had a good time last night."
"You did?" Lavender asked pleased. "Really?"
"Aye," Seamus let her run her fingers through his wet hair. "I can't wait to do it again."
Lavender smiled. "I was just thinking the exact same thing."
"What's taking so long to answer the door?" Ron's voice floated in. "We could use some help in here-OW! What did you do that for Hermione?"
"Leave them alone and I'll let you have something to eat," Hermione answered.
Seamus and Lavender looked at each other and laughed. "That buys us a few minutes," he joked.
"What did you have in mind?" she whispered.
Seamus wrapped his arms around her, forgetting how wet his jumper and hair were from the rain. "You could warm me up," he said.
Lavender grinned as she looped her arms around his neck and kissed him. As their kiss deepened, she felt his hand skilfully creep up beneath her jumper and her skin tingled at his touch.
"Like that love?" Seamus whispered.
"Yes," she said softly. "Do you think they'd notice if we just snuck out and went back to your place?"
"Probably," Seamus laughed. "But there's always later..." he let his words trail off as he leaned in and kissed her again, letting his hands creep back up under her clothing.
"We sure could use some help in here," Ron called out rather loudly just then. Reluctantly, Lavender allowed Seamus to lead her back into the living room.
"You know, you're a right pain in the arse," Seamus said.
"It's not fair that the two of you get to snog in the hall there while the rest of us are slaving away doing all this for Harry and Hermione," Ron retorted. He was trying to untangle a string of lights and not having much luck.
"All I see you doing is eating," Harry pointed out as he and Hermione unwrapped more old ornaments.
"I wish you would leave me alone about that," Ron said yanking on the string of lights and only managing to make a bigger tangled mess than he'd started with. Taking pity on him, Luna took out her wand and with a swish and flick, the strand became untangled.
"Now why didn't I think of that?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," Luna said shaking her head as Ron reached for another pastry.
"My mum wanted to know if you and your dad wanted to come over for Christmas dinner," Ron said a few moments later. "We're going to have a full house, of course, but you know mum...the more the merrier."
Luna smiled at him. "We'd love to. I'll have to check with Daddy of course but I'm sure it would be fine." She sat next to him as they began to pass the lights over to Harry. "Has Ginny decided to come home?" she asked in a quiet voice.
Ron frowned. "She sent a letter home a few days ago. She said that she wished us all a Happy Christmas, but she would be working throughout the holiday and wouldn't be able to make it. Fred reckons it's because she knows we wouldn't let that git Malfoy in the house."
"I'll bet that made your Mum happy though," she squeezed his hand.
"Yeah," Ron said, smiling. "It helped. At least she hasn't cut herself off from the family completely."
"And as long as that makes you happy, it makes me happy," Luna leaned over for a quick kiss.
"That means a lot to me," he said smiling at her. "I know she did some horrible things, but she's still my sister."
"Now who's not getting anything done?" Seamus mocked in a loud tone.
"Very funny, Finnigan," Ron said not bothering to look up. "How about you shut it before I deck your halls?"
Harry snorted. "Now, now children," he said. "There's enough snog in this world for everyone."
"Wisdom from the Rabbit King," Neville chimed in.
Hermione glanced at Lavender. "And she thinks she can take that title away."
"Who thinks they have the stamina to take that title away?" Ron asked in disbelief. Lavender blushed and shot Hermione a warning look.
"All of you," Hermione covered hastily. "It seems you all forget that I do indeed have a competitive side and this is one thing Harry and I intend to stay on top of," she grinned.
Lavender mouthed the words "thank you" to her cousin.
"I'll make a deal with you," Ron said looking at Harry. "I'll stop calling you the rabbits if you stop making snide comments about what I eat."
"We don't want to stop being called rabbits. Gives us an excuse," Harry informed his best friend as he finished stringing lights on the tree.
"Can we please not talk about Harry and Hermione's sex life, please?" Cho said from her perch on the sofa.
"I second that," Lavender replied.
"Who wants more hot chocolate?" Hermione asked. "I'm sure we have some more pastries or rolls as well if anyone... well besides you Ron... is still hungry."
"I'd love some more hot chocolate," Cho said, trying to get up from the sofa, but failing. "Could someone give me a hand?"
"I'll get it," Hermione replied. "Stay sitting Cho,"
Luna got to her feet. "I'll help you," she offered.
"It was really great of you to have everyone over like this," Luna said as she followed Hermione into the kitchen.
"I wanted Harry to have a good Christmas," Hermione confessed in a whisper. "He's told me how mistreated he was as a little boy..." she shook her head.
"You know it's amazing how well he turned out with all that happened to him," Luna said.
"That's true," Hermione replied. "I think in large part it had to do with having such good friends around him."
"He was always nice to me," Luna said smiling. "He was the only one when we were in school that didn't seem to treat me like I was a freak. I always appreciated that."
Hermione smiled. "I was as shocked as anyone when we got together." She lowered her voice. "To be honest, I always thought he sounded conceited until I got to know him. Thank Merlin I was completely wrong!"
Luna giggled. "I used to think that too before I met him."
"I can't imagine my life without him now." Hermione said, peeking into the living room where Harry was laughing with Lavender over more silly ornaments.
"I know this might be too personal, but when did you know? When did you know you loved him?" Luna asked.
Hermione thought for a moment. "It's really hard to pinpoint exactly when that was... but it was the night of the Sheldrake that I knew without a doubt." She replied after a moment as the kettle began to whistle.
Luna quickly walked over to the stove and picked up the kettle as Hermione quickly set out some mugs. "You two sure didn't have an easy go of it," Luna said as she poured the boiling water in the mugs. "But, look at you now. Gives the rest of us some hope."
"What like you and Ron?" Hermione asked with a smile. "You two are as made for each other as Harry and I are."
Luna grinned. "I think so too."
"Have you two talked anything out yet or did you spend last night doing other things?" Hermione teased as she warmed some rolls with her wand and set them on a tray with the remaining pastries.
"We sort of did both," Luna admitted with a cheeky smile. "We still have a lot of things to work out, but it's great just to be with him again."
"He's sure lit up like that tree out there," Hermione laughed.
"He is, isn't he?" Luna asked dreamily.
It was at that moment that Ron called out to them from the living room. "You've got starving men out here! What's taking so long?"
"Ron didn't we tell you? We only bought enough to feed a small army," Hermione retorted as she carried the tray of food, Luna following with the hot chocolate. "Maybe if you'd brought my biscuits we'd have more on hand." She added pointedly.
"Okay, okay," Ron said, helping himself to a mug of hot chocolate. "Tell you what; I'll buy you a case of them for Christmas."
"Plus the ones you already owe me?" Hermione looked serious but everyone could see the twinkle in her eye.
"Told you that you shouldn't have eaten them all to begin with mate," Harry sat down on the sofa next to Cho and patted the armrest. "Come on and sit down," he smiled at his girlfriend.
Hermione grinned and grabbed a pastry from the plate before sitting down on the arm rest. She broke it in half and offered some to Harry.
"Thanks," he leaned forward and took it out of her hand with his mouth.
"Are you having a good time?" she whispered in his ear.
"The only better time I'll have all day is after they all leave and we're alone again," he kissed her earlobe.
Hermione found herself getting emotional as she took in the sight of their friends having a good time decorating the tree. She felt her lower lip begin to tremble and she tried to keep the tears away.
"What are the tears for?" Harry sat up straight. "Is something wrong?" his green eyes were soft with concern.
She shook her head and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I'm just really, really happy is all. I feel like I've got all I've ever wanted."
Harry smiled as he tucked a fallen lock of hair behind her ear. "Well thanks to you, I can say the same." He said.
"Happy Christmas, Harry," she said, touching his cheek.
He leaned in and gave her a rather chaste kiss. "You too sweetheart," he said softly.
*** *** ***
"I think it's very sweet that you go visit your parents all the time," Cho commented as they rode up in the lift towards the level where Neville's mum and dad currently took up residence in St. Mungo's.
"Yeah I usually try to get over at least once a month." Neville said, giving his wife's hand a squeeze. "I always come by on Christmas Eve no matter what though." He led Cho down the corridor and they entered the ward.
"Are you sure you want me to come in with you?" she asked.
"Of course I do." Neville said firmly. "You're my wife and therefore you're a Longbottom now."
Cho smiled, but her smile faded when she saw a familiar figure coming toward them. "Neville," she said softly. "Look..."
"Gran," Neville stopped short.
"Neville," Mrs. Longbottom said in a cool tone. She looked at Cho. "Miss Chang."
"Its Longbottom now," Neville corrected his grandmother. "We were married just a few days ago."
"Yes, I know," Mrs. Longbottom said, mustering a smile. An awkward silence followed. "Might I have a word, Neville?" Mrs. Longbottom finally asked.
"Will you be okay for a moment?" Neville asked Cho.
"Sure," Cho said with a reassuring smile. "You go on ahead."
"I won't be long," Neville kissed her cheek and allowed his grandmother to lead him back out the door. "What is it?" he asked, crossing his arms. "If you're going to lecture me about getting married, I don't want to hear it."
"I wasn't going to lecture you," Mrs. Longbottom said quietly. "I didn't know if you were going to come today. I was surprised to see you."
"Well," Neville seemed at a loss for words. "They're still my parents even if you disowned me."
Mrs. Longbottom stood against the wall and sighed. "It's never been easy to come here," she said.
"No, it hasn't." Neville peeked through the window to the ward.
"I know it's been particularly hard on you," she said, her tone much softer. "I wish you could have known them as they were...before."
"Yeah," Neville replied. "I wish that too." He felt horrible that things were so awkward between him and his Gran but he'd be damned if he'd treat her as he had before when she'd been horrible to Cho. "I hope you've got some nice plans for tomorrow." He found himself saying instead.
She didn't answer him. Instead, she asked her own question. "And you and...Cho...do you have plans for Christmas?"
"We're just taking tomorrow and spending it together," Neville answered. "Cho's so close to giving birth that we just want to take it easy from here on out, so we didn't plan any sort of large celebration."
Mrs. Longbottom nodded. "And your training; how is that going?"
"Great," Neville replied. "They're sending us out to Madrid right after New Year's but then I and I have two weeks off right at the time the baby is due."
"They'd be proud of you," his grandmother said, nodding toward the ward. She paused. "As I am."
"You're proud of me?" Neville's eyebrows shot up.
"I know I didn't always show it, but yes, Neville, I'm proud of you," she said seriously. "You remind me so much of Frank."
"Then..." Neville was confused. "Why did you kick me out when I brought Cho to see you?"
"I didn't kick you out," she said defensively. "You walked out."
"After you basically said you'd never accept Cho into our family." Neville replied. "I wouldn't have brought her home to meet you if she hadn't been important to me and you basically threw that back in my face."
"You would see it that way, wouldn't you?" she asked, pulling her green robes tight around her.
"Gran," Neville said. "I don't know why you wouldn't even get to know her. She's my wife now, and nothing in this world can change that. Cho's an amazing person who's had some tough breaks in life and she's working hard on changing that."
"Perhaps I may have misjudged her," Mrs. Longbottom said. "But I honestly had your best interest at heart, Neville. She's a very beautiful girl. She's the type of girl I'd expect to see with someone like Harry, Neville."
"And Harry's with someone else that he loves very much." Neville stared at his grandmother. "Besides, the fact that she's gorgeous means she shouldn't be with me?"
"We obviously aren't going to see eye to eye on this," she said. "I don't want to argue with you, Neville. This isn't the time or the place for it."
"I agree," Neville pecked his grandmother on the cheek. "Happy Christmas Gran, I hope you have a nice day tomorrow."
"Happy Christmas to you," she said with a slight smile. With one last look at her grandson, she turned on her heel and walked down the corridor and around the corner.
Neville was shaking his head as he went back into the ward. "Sorry about that," he muttered.
"Is everything okay?" Cho asked closing the magazine she'd been absently flipping through.
"Not really, but it's not the time to worry about it now," Neville grasped her hand.
"Ready to introduce me to your parents?" she asked giving him a smile.
"I am," Neville kissed the back of her hand as he led her down between the beds to a curtained area with the name 'Longbottom' marked on a sign.
Cho had to stifle a gasp so her husband wouldn't hear it as she laid eyes on Frank and Alice Longbottom. They sat huddled together on one of the beds, a photo album open in front of them. Alice, with one hand in her grey, frizzled hair would point the finger of her other hand at a picture and Frank would grin and make several warbling noises in his throat.
"Hi Mum, hi Dad…" Neville said. His parents looked up and he could see the confusion in their eyes- they were trying to place him in their thoughts. He was not fazed by this, as it happened every time he came to visit. He squeezed Cho's hand. "It'll be okay in a minute," he said softly to her.
Alice got up, her dirty nightgown falling to her ankles as she smiled at Neville, coming forward to cup his face in her hands. He let go of Cho to give his mother a hug as Frank struggled to his feet, and reached over to pat his son on the back, making that same noise in his throat.
Cho bit her lower lip and took a deep breath to fight back her tears at the scene in front of her. She knew about Neville's parents and what had been done to them but seeing them here, still able to recognise their son deep down, touched her. Her own parents had been killed in her sixth year before Harry had defeated You Know Who so she considered anyone who did have parents quite lucky.
"Mum, Dad…" Neville had extracted himself from his parents grip. "I'd like you to meet my wife Cho." He motioned for her to come forwards.
"Hello," Cho said her voice small. "It's… lovely to meet you Mrs. Longbottom, Mr. Longbottom." She wasn't sure what else she could say.
Alice looked at her, a smile growing timidly on her face as her thin hand reached out and touched Cho's smooth cheek. Cho let her do it, and was surprised when Alice hugged her.
Neville smiled as his father returned to the bed, looking up at Cho and then back at his son. Frank picked up the photo album held it up. "He wants us to sit down by him," Neville whispered to Cho, who nodded as Alice grabbed onto her hand.
The four of them sat down, the younger couple in between the older two. Frank began to turn through the books, his hands shaking as he did so. "That's when I was born," Neville narrated. "And this was my first birthday…" his voice trailed off for a moment and he coughed. "And um… my Gran took this one as we left for Hogwarts for the first time…"
"There's me," Cho smiled, reaching over with her free hand to point to her younger self near the edge of the photograph. "It's amazing to think of ourselves being so young isn't it?"
"Yeah," Neville said quietly. "Here… here's from Christmas one year when I stayed at Hogwarts…" a younger Harry, Ron, Seamus and Neville grinned back at them, pushing each other around. Frank made another warbling sound and pointed from his son to the younger version of Neville in the photo. "That's right Dad, that's me."
Cho felt her heart break nearly in two as Neville continued to go through the album. Alice was still clutching onto her hand and looking at her adoringly and she forced a smile onto her face through her tears for the other woman's benefit.
They had been in there a half hour when they finally finished going through the album. "We should get going," Neville said, handing his father the book.
"Okay," Cho replied, her voice tiny. Alice, still holding onto her hand, pulled Cho over to the single nightstand sitting between the beds. She opened the drawer and extracted two empty wrappers for Droobles Best Blowing gum.
Alice gave one wrapper to Cho, pressing it into her hand while smiling lovingly at her and then went to Neville, handing him the other in much the same manner.
"Thanks Mum," Neville kissed her cheek. "Love you." Alice smiled at him and touched the spot where her son had kissed her.
Cho was again surprised when Alice Longbottom hugged her as Neville was saying goodbye to his father. She wished so much that Frank and Alice could truly know their son as he was now, a very kind, mature and loving man.
Neville took her hand as Alice moved her eyes down to Cho's pregnant stomach. An excited 'ooh' escaped from her lips as she touched it with both her hands.
It was hard for both Neville and Cho to keep their eyes dry as Alice leaned over and kissed the bump; Frank left his album behind to come see what had his wife so excited and made his warble again, nodding as he smiled at his son.
Cho was barely outside the hospital when her tears let loose. "Oh Neville why didn't you ever tell me?" she asked.
"What could I say?" he asked. "I never really got to know them… and it was always sort of a private thing for me and Gran."
"I'm so sorry," Cho sniffed.
Neville brushed away her tears with his thumbs. "It's okay," he smiled at her. "Besides, I think my Mum likes you. She never normally shows so much emotion, not for anyone."
"Really?" Cho asked.
"Mmhmm," Neville nodded. He leaned in and kissed his wife, cupping her face with his hands. "I sort of feel like… she's blessed our baby. She knew you were pregnant and it excited her."
Cho leaned against her husband as they began to walk away. "Thank you for bringing me with you," she said quietly. "I'd like to go again sometime if you want to take me with you."
"You would?" Neville asked.
"Yes," she answered, kissing him on the cheek. "We share everything now remember? From burdens to blessings."
"From burdens to blessings," Neville echoed. He looked down at her as they walked. "Thank you," he said simply.
"For what?" Cho asked.
"For everything," Neville replied.